The D.I.C.E. Award for Mobile Game of the Year is an award presented annually by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences during the D.I.C.E. Awards. The award recognizes a game "for a mobile device platform such as a mobile phone or tablet. These games demonstrate a skilled usage of the device's software and hardware features to offer a unique and addictive play experience. All game genres are eligible. Mobile platforms include, but are not limited to iOS or Android". All active creative/technical, business, and affiliate members of the Academy are qualified to vote for this category.
The most recent winner is Persona 5: The Phantom X, developed by Black Wings Game Studio and published by Sega.
Handheld & Mobile Game of the Year The Academy introduced, for the 2002 awards ceremony, the award for Hand-Held Game of the Year, which is a category for "game(s) developed for a handheld platform that demonstrates the greatest achievement in overall game design, play and/or breakthrough in handheld gaming". The handheld category was originally presented as a console award. The nomination form for the 2004 awards listed Handheld as a "Wireless & Handheld" category with the inclusion of Wireless Game of the Year. However, there were no finalists named for Wireless in 2004. Finalists would be listed for Wireless Game of the Year, which recognized a "game developed for a wireless phone or handset that demonstrates the greatest achievement in overall game design, play and/or breakthrough in wireless gaming," at the 2005 awards ceremony. However, the only nominees for the award category in 2005 were games for the Nintendo handheld devices. Since there was already a Handheld Game of the Year, Wireless Game of the Year would be replaced with Cellular Game of the Year in 2006. It was changed to Mobile Game of the Year in 2007 but reverted to Cellular Game of the Year in 2008. The 2010 awards ceremony offered Portable Game of the Year, which recognized games that was being "developed for a portable platform" that included either "gaming handhelds or other mobile devices". The Academy then began offering separate awards for Handheld Game of the Year and Mobile Game of the Year again in 2012. The two award categories would eventually be combined into Portable Game of the Year again in 2019 and 2020, and then ultimately be replaced with Mobile Game of the Year from 2021 onwards. Handheld Game of the Year (2002–2009, 2012–2018) Wireless Game of the Year (2005) Cellular Game of the Year (2006, 2008–2009) Mobile Game of the Year (2007, 2012–2018, 2021–present) Portable Game of the Year (2010–2011, 2019–2020)
Winners and nominees + Table keyIndicates the winner 2000s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2001 (5th)Advance WarsIntelligent SystemsNintendoGolden SunCamelot Software PlanningNintendoMario Kart: Super CircuitIntelligent SystemsThe Legend of Zelda: Oracle of SeasonsFlagship/CapcomTony Hawk's Pro Skater 2Vicarious VisionsActivision2002 (6th)Metroid FusionNintendo R&D1NintendoCastlevania: Harmony of DissonanceKonamiKonamiThe Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Four SwordsNintendo R&D2, Flagship/CapcomNintendoYoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3Nintendo R&D22003 (7th)Final Fantasy Tactics AdvanceSquare EnixNintendoAdvance Wars 2: Black Hole RisingIntelligent SystemsNintendoFire EmblemMario & Luigi: Superstar SagaAlphaDreamPokémon RubyGame Freak2004(8th) Handheld Game of the YearMetroid: Zero MissionNintendo R&D1NintendoKingdom Hearts: Chain of MemoriesSquare EnixSquare EnixSuper Mario 64 DSNintendo EADNintendo Wireless Game of the Year Super Mario 64 DSNintendo EADNintendoPokémon FireRed and LeafGreenGame FreakNintendo2005(9th) Handheld Game of the YearNintendogsNintendo EADNintendoBurnout LegendsCriterion GamesElectronic ArtsGrand Theft Auto: Liberty City StoriesRockstar LeedsRockstar GamesMario & Luigi: Partners in TimeAlphaDreamNintendoThe Legend of Zelda: The Minish CapFlagship/Capcom Cellular Game of the YearAncient Empires IIMacrospaceSorrentHigh SeizeRedLynxNokiaMile High PinballIdeaworks3DOneDigital LegendsSkipping StoneGamevilI-Play2006 (10th) Handheld Game of the YearBrain Age: Train Your Brain in Minutes a Day!Nintendo SPDNintendoElite Beat AgentsiNiSNintendoLego Star Wars II: The Original TrilogyTraveller's TalesLucasArtsLocoRocoJapan StudioSony Computer EntertainmentNew Super Mario Bros.Nintendo EADNintendo Mobile Game of the YearOrcs & Elvesid Software, Fountainhead EntertainmentEA MobileBrothers in Arms 3DGameloftGameloftDuckShotMoFactorHands-On MobileTropical MadnessGameloftGameloft2007 (11th) Handheld Game of the YearThe Legend of Zelda: Phantom HourglassNintendo EADNintendoDrawn to Life5th CellTHQJeanne d'ArcLevel-5Sony Computer EntertainmentPuzzle Quest: Challenge of the WarlordsInfinite Interactive, 1st Playable ProductionsD3 PublisherRatchet & Clank: Size MattersHigh Impact GamesSony Computer Entertainment Cellular Game of the Yearskate.EA Black BoxEA MobileDiner Dash 2: Restaurant RescuePlayFirstPlayFirstPrey MobileMachineWorks NorthwestSkyzoneSimCity SocietiesTilted Mill EntertainmentElectronic Arts2008(12th) Hand-Held Game of the YearGod of War: Chains of OlympusReady at DawnSony Computer EntertainmentAdvance Wars: Days of RuinIntelligent SystemsNintendoCastlevania: Order of EcclesiaKonamiKonamiPataponJapan StudioSony Computer EntertainmentProfessor Layton and the Curious VillageLevel-5Nintendo Cellular Game of the YearSpore OriginsBabaroga, Tricky SoftwareElectronic ArtsReset GenerationRedLynxNokiaTrismDemiforceDemiforce2009 (13th) Scribblenauts5th CellWarner Bros. Interactive EntertainmentLittleBigPlanetSCE Studio CambridgeSony Computer EntertainmentMario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside StoryAlphaDreamNintendoProfessor Layton and the Diabolical BoxLevel-5The Legend of Zelda: Spirit TracksNintendo EAD
2010s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2010 (14th) God of War: Ghost of SpartaReady at DawnSony Computer EntertainmentDragon Quest IX: Sentinels of the Starry SkiesSquare EnixNintendoInfinity BladeChair EntertainmentEpic GamesProfessor Layton and the Unwound FutureLevel-5NintendoValkyria Chronicles IISegaSega2011 (15th) Handheld Game of the YearSuper Mario 3D LandNintendo EADNintendoGhost Trick: Phantom DetectiveCapcomCapcomKirby Mass AttackHAL LaboratoryNintendoMario Kart 7Nintendo EADProfessor Layton and the Last SpecterLevel-5 Mobile Game of the YearInfinity Blade IIChair EntertainmentEpic GamesContre JourMokusChillingoDead SpaceIronMonkey StudiosElectronic ArtsTentacles: Enter the DolphinPress PlayMicrosoft StudiosThe Dark MeadowPhosphor StudiosPhosphor Studios2012 (16th) Handheld Game of the YearPaper Mario: Sticker StarIntelligent SystemsNintendoGravity RushJapan StudioSony Computer EntertainmentResident Evil: RevelationsCapcomCapcomSound ShapesQueasy GamesSony Computer EntertainmentUncharted: Golden AbyssBend Studio Mobile Game of the YearHero AcademyRobot EntertainmentRobot EntertainmentFairway SolitaireBig Fish StudiosBig Fish GamesHornPhosphor StudiosZyngaRayman Jungle RunUbisoft Montpellier, PastagamesUbisoft2013 (17th) Handheld Game of the YearThe Legend of Zelda: A Link Between WorldsNintendo EADNintendoFire Emblem AwakeningIntelligent SystemsNintendoLuigi's Mansion: Dark MoonNext Level GamesPokémon X & YGame FreakTearawayMedia MoleculeSony Computer Entertainment Mobile Game of the YearPlants vs. Zombies 2PopCap GamesElectronic ArtsFETCHBig Fish StudiosBig Fish GamesFlick Kick Football LegendsPikPokPikPokRidiculous FishingVlambeerVlambeerThe Wolf Among UsTelltale GamesTelltale Games2014 (18th) Handheld Game of the YearSuper Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DSBandai Namco Entertainment, Sora Ltd.NintendoBravely DefaultSquare EnixNintendoChild of LightUbisoft MontrealUbisoftShovel KnightYacht Club GamesYacht Club GamesTheatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain CallSquare Enix, indieszeroSquare Enix Mobile Game of the YearHearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard Entertainment80 DaysInkleInkleKingdom Rush: Originsironhide Game StudioArmor GamesMonument ValleyustwoustwoThreesSirvoSirvo2015 (19th) Handheld Game of the YearHelldiversArrowhead Game StudiosSony Computer EntertainmentEarth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet SpaceSandlot, D3 PublisherXseed GamesPokémon Super Mystery DungeonSpike Chunsoft, The Pokémon CompanyNintendoYo-kai WatchLevel-5 Mobile Game of the YearFallout ShelterBethesda Game Studios, Behaviour InteractiveBethesda SoftworksDomiNationsBig Huge GamesNexonLara Croft GoSquare Enix MontrealSquare Enix EuropePac-Man 256Hipster WhaleBandai Namco EntertainmentThe Room ThreeFireproof GamesFireproof Games2016 (20th) Handheld Game of the YearPokémon Sun and MoonGame FreakNintendoDragon Quest BuildersSquare EnixSquare EnixFire Emblem FatesIntelligent SystemsNintendoKirby: Planet RobobotHAL LaboratorySeveredDrinkBox StudiosDrinkBox Studios Mobile Game of the YearPokémon GoNianticNianticClash RoyaleSupercellSupercellCrashlandsButterscotch ShenanigansButterscotch ShenanigansGardenscapes: New AcresPlayrixPlayrixReignsNerialDevolver Digital2017 (21st) Handheld Game of the YearMetroid: Samus ReturnsMercurySteamNintendoDragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed KingLevel-5, Square EnixNintendoEtrian Odyssey V: Beyond the MythAtlusAtlusFire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of ValentiaIntelligent SystemsNintendoMonster Hunter StoriesCapcom, Marvelous Inc. Mobile Game of the YearFire Emblem HeroesIntelligent SystemsNintendoCat QuestThe GentlebrosPQubeGorogoaJason Roberts, Buried SignalAnnapurna InteractiveMonument Valley 2ustwoustwoSplitter CrittersRAC7 GamesRAC7 Games2018 (22nd) FlorenceMountainsAnnapurna InteractiveDandaraLong Hat HouseRaw FuryDonut CountyBen EspositoAnnapurna InteractiveDragalia LostCygamesNintendoOddmarMobgeMobge2019 (23rd) Sayonara Wild HeartsSimogoAnnapurna InteractiveCall of Duty: MobileTiMi Studio GroupActivisionGrindstoneCapybara GamesCapybara GamesSky: Children of the LightThatgamecompanyThatgamecompanyWhat the Golf?TribandThe Label, Triband
2020s YearGameDeveloper(s)Publisher(s)2020 (24th) Legends of RuneterraRiot GamesRiot GamesHoloVistaAconiteAconiteLittle OrpheusThe Chinese RoomSumo DigitalSong of BloomKamiboxKamiboxSouth of the CircleState of Play GamesApple, Inc.2021 (25th) Pokémon UniteTiMi Studio GroupThe Pokémon CompanyBehind the FrameSilver Lining StudioAkupara Games, Akatsuki TaiwanFantasianMistwalkerApple, Inc.League of Legends: Wild RiftRiot GamesRiot GamesMoncageOptillusionX.D. Network2022 (26th) Marvel SnapSecond DinnerNuverseDiablo ImmortalBlizzard EntertainmentBlizzard EntertainmentGibbon: Beyond the TreesBroken RulesBroken RulesImmortalityHalf Mermaid StudiosHalf Mermaid StudiosPoinpyMoppinDevolver Digital, Netflix Games2023 (27th) What the Car?TribandTribandGubbinsStudio FollyStudio FollyHello Kitty Island AdventureSunblinkSunblinkHonkai: Star RailmiHoYoHoYoverseTerra NilFree LivesDevolver Digital2024 (28th) BalatroLocalThunkPlayStackHalls of TormentChasing CarrotsChasing CarrotsMonument Valley 3ustwoNetflix GamesPaper TrailNewfangled GamesNewfangled GamesWuthering WavesKuro GamesKuro Games2025 (29th) Persona 5: The Phantom XBlack Wings Game StudioSegaUmamusume: Pretty Derby Cygames CygamesWhat the Clash? Triband TribandWhere Winds Meet Everstone Studio NetEase Games
Multiple nominations and wins Developers and publishers